STORM WATER AND SANITARY SEWER BACKUPS

I am hopeful your household did not get either storm or sewer water in your basements the last couple weeks. These are very unfortunate circumstances that create huge inconveniences for families and homeowners.

When a basement floods either due to a leaky foundation or, the sanitary sewer, the city is generally the first to get a call. And, while our staff does it’s best to minimize the problem, often times the only cure is to let the water flow out of the system and then out of the basement.

Sewer backups occur when too much water enters sewer mains during rainfalls. Basements back up because they represent the “line of least resistance” to let the water release from pressure in the mains. Backups occur most often in lower areas, or, where sewer lines are fairly flat and do not let water flow as easily as if there was more grade.

Indianola has over 80 miles of sewer mains, some are 70-80 years old and some are 20-25 foot deep. It is nearly impossible to keep storm water out of the sewer system especially when the ground is so saturated like it is this year. It can get there through manhole covers on flooded streets, cracks or misaligned mains, and storm sewers that are connected to sanitary sewers. The mains even collect storm water from homes and buildings that are illegally connected to the sanitary sewer. Yes, it is possible backups occur from your own neighborhood’s illegal connections.

At this time Indianola is taking aggressive action to keep storm water out of sanitary sewers. Our engineers estimate the city will spend $7 to $9 million testing, repairing and replacing parts of the system where storm water enters. However, it is a 3 to 4 year process.

Our plan is to begin repairs/replacements in areas that have the most backups and that will probably happen within a year or so. Until that time, backups may occur again, especially when we receive 4-inch rains as we did on July 27 and July 8. Mother Nature has certainly not been kind to Iowa in this regard this year.

In addition as part of our normal operation every attempt is made to prevent backups in the public wastewater system before they occur. Sewer lines are engineered to prevent accumulation and stoppages. Maintenance crews inspect and clean lines throughout the city on a regular schedule. However, widespread backups we’ve been experiencing lately are often beyond the city’s control.

It is therefore best if property owners have insurance covering floods and sewer backups. In the majority of cases, a special rider will need to be added to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to cover damages related to sewage backups or water damage. This optional coverage is usually not very expensive, but you must request that it be added to your policy. Check with your agent about this policy provision.

The city, of course, has insurance and when claims are received they are forwarded to our insurance representatives. The issue of fault (as always) rests on negligence. Has the city been negligent? Insurance representatives review the claims and thus far have denied coverage because backups occurred during very heavy rains. And, heavy rains are considered an act of nature that caused the problem. Under normal situations the sewer system performs just as it was designed.

BUILDING COLLAPSE

BUILDING COLLAPSE

At their meeting on July 21, the city council passed a motion finding that “the buildings are dangerous and unsafe and warranting an emergency situation that requires immediate action on the part of the City”. However, council also allowed the building owners until July 28 to have a contractor begin stabilizing the buildings.

It is my understanding the owners are getting quotes to possibly take down the rest of the One Stop Restaurant building. Also, the two owners to the east are considering their options. It is possible the building immediately east of One Stop could be removed as well.

On Thursday, July 24, two contractors will begin the stabilization process of the One Stop building. Clean-up will begin soon and Ashland may be open to one-lane traffic by the weekend.

BUILDING COLLAPSE

Not a lot of new information. We are still waiting for the property owner’s insurance company to determine coverage and may not hear more until tomorrow.

However, the city council will consider action at tonight’s meeting to begin stabilizing and removal if we do not get a timely answer. The city contacted Nuemann Brothers, Inc., and they provided a plan for stabilization/removal. It therefore is possible the city may have to begin this process within the next 48 hours.

Not only is Ashland Avenue closed, but there are businesses that are still not open due to concern about further collapse. The city simply cannot take the risk of anyone getting hurt.

The city is taking every action necessary to get the square back to normal (as possible), that it can. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

BUILDING COLLAPSE

The south half of the building known as One Stop Sandwich Shop located at 112 West Ashland (north side of square) collapsed Sunday about 7:45 am.

The city is working with property owners, insurance companies and a structural engineer and here is what we have so far:

• It is not known at this time what caused the collapse
• A structural engineer reviewed the building and two buildings immediately east on Sunday and advised the entire quarter block be vacated until in-depth inspections could occur
• All utilities have been disconnected
• Clean-up will not occur until the buildings are stabilized
• Most of Ashland Avenue between Howard and Buxton have been closed
• Meetings are taking place with engineers, insurance representatives, property owners and city representatives to discuss inspection and building conditions

Please watch the city’s web site for more information and we’ll provide it as soon as possible.

Fire/Police Renovation

I just read an article entitled “Countywide vote slated for July 8” in the June 25, 2008, Record Herald And Indianola Tribune. In that article was a quote from a rural resident that read as follows:

Milligan accused Indianola leaders of running a “stealth campaign” that centers on keeping the upcoming election out of the spotlight. “I don’t have a lot of faith in the folks who are running (the election) Milligan said. “Where are the citizen advisory groups on this?”

I feel a strong obligation to set the record straight for all Indianola residents. To say we are running stealth campaign is simply not true. Please observe the following:

· Between Fire Chief Brian Seymour and I, 20 PowerPoint presentations have been given to groups including the Rotary, Lions/Lionesses, Indianola School Board, Kiwanis, Elks and Warren County Historical Society.
· Two focus groups totaling over 30 residents were enlisted to discuss this project and a methods of paying for it
· There is an information video on cable channel 7 that plays every day at 11:00 AM and 8:30 PM. It starting showing on June 2 so by July 8 it will have been on TV nearly 80 times
· There have been 4 articles in the last 2 months in the Record Herald
· There have been 2 articles in the City Update newsletter
· There have been 4 articles in the Weekly Flyer in the last month
· Over 1,000 brochures/flyers have been handed out to citizens
· There will be an open house at the Fire Department on July 1 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM to show residents the conditions under which the Fire Department has to work—Please come out and join us to see for yourself.
· The city’s web page at www.cityofindianola.com has had building renovation information since the first of June

Stealth??? Oh no, quite the contrary. City officials have worked very, very hard to inform Indianola residents about the need for this building renovation and proposed sales tax to pay for it. We are well aware that informed voters make good decisions.

Again, there is an open house at the Fire Station on Ashland Avenue from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on July 1. Please come by and tour the building to better understand why the renovation is needed. Hope to see you there!!

Flooding

Indianola is extremely fortunate that it was, for the most part, built on high ground and is not prone to flooding like other Iowa cities. During the rains last week, the Sewer Department received 5 calls for backups and another 3 for water in basements. While we know there were more individual water-related incidents, it was nothing compared to communities where downtowns are closed or residential areas are inaccessible for days.

Yes, Indianola is a very lucky city and it makes one wonder if Indianola’s original founders thought about high ground, flooding and the risks involved. If that was their motive, then all Indianola citizens owe them a great deal of gratitude for their insight and forethought.

Even though Indianola did not flood, there are some effects. A meeting today with IDOT to discuss the potential improvement to Highway 65/69 south of Highway 92 was postponed due to flooding in southeast Iowa. I will update this blog when the meeting is re-scheduled and more information is available.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog.

Fire and Police Renovation

Fire Chief Brian Seymour and I have been giving power point presentations on the Fire/Police Improvement project and the reception from all groups has been extremely positive. I am truly surprised at how people find the presentation extremely informative and educational.

If you are interested in seeing the presentation, it is shown on Cable Channel 7 at 11:00 AM and 8:30 PM, Monday thru Sunday. I really urge you to watch the video as it will help you decide how to vote on July 8 at the Warren County Administrative Building (Clinton at Buxton).

The video shows the differences in the proposed sales tax compared to a property tax to fund the project. The differences are enormous and really should be well understood by our citizens. It makes a real difference. For example, the sales tax would only last 10 years compared to 15 years for a property tax. And, the sales tax would cost a family of 4 about $60 annually if they spent $500/month on taxable items. That compares to $123/year for property tax on a home valued at $200,000. As I said, the differences are significant. And, everyone who buys taxable items in Indianola will pay for this important project thru sales tax. The property tax only collects from taxable property in Indianola so it does not include the college, churches or other non-profit entities.

As always, if you have any questions about this project, please feel free to call me at 961-9410 or e-mail me at tzisoff@cityofindianola.com